Ninth grade on track data is the number one indicator of a student graduating high school. In part due to this, the Ninth Grade Success Team was formed in fall 2020 at Meridian High School. Recently, the team was able to look at three years of data to see the incredible success their efforts are already making.

For all ninth grade students over the past three years, there has been a 15 percent increase for on track data from 72 to 87 percent. Ninth grade on track data is measured by the percentage of students passing all of their classes. For students in the Special Education program, their on track data has improved by 17 percent and for students who are Hispanic they improved by 31 percent. These improvements are in large part due to the work of the Ninth Grade Success Team.

Teachers who primarily teach ninth grade students participate on the team and meet every other week to check in on student progress. The team works closely with a consultant from the Center for High School Success. The consultant cost is covered by a grant. When the team meets, they look at student data, specifically identifying students who are not currently passing their classes. Ninth Grade Success Team lead and algebra teacher David Brannon said while the team spends time looking at individual students, they also discuss their teaching practices.

“We talk about what we are doing in the classroom. What is effective? What isn’t effective? Ideally, we are harmonizing our teaching practices so that it is consistent between all classrooms,” Brannon said.

The team mantra is that interaction is not intervention. The team works on identifying interventions that will help students develop the skills they need to overcome challenges that are preventing them from success. These skills could be organization, conflict resolution, attendance, or simply asking for help. The team works on how they can incorporate these skills into their regular instruction.

“My practice has become more transformative. Working with this team has allowed a space for me to share ideas that I have been trying in the classroom and to receive feedback, but also it is a place where I can hear what others are doing and try to implement some of their success in my classroom,” said world history teacher Ryan Killian.

Ninth graders are in a transition year. Not only does high school require more independent responsibility, but classes in high school have a direct impact on whether they graduate and what opportunities may be available to them after high school.

“The transition to high school is tough! In addition to learning new staff and a new much larger building, classes are credit-bearing so stakes are higher than middle school,” said science teacher Andrea Ames. “The more supports we can put in place to help our ninth graders navigate changes smoothly, the more they can focus on doing well academically, having positive social interactions, and taking care of their mental health.”

Assistant Principal Shaun Doffing who is the administrator that oversees the Ninth Grade Success Team explained that while the focus is primarily on ninth grade students and teachers, he hopes the success of the team is able to be replicated schoolwide, improving outcomes for all students.

“This is a really great team of dedicated teachers, who really care about the success of each and every student,” Doffing said. “We get to focus on the positive and this work is so rewarding because we are making a big impact and helping our students be successful.”

The Ninth Grade Success Team is hoping to reach 90 percent on track rate this year.